ST. PAUL, MN – The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today it is recommending three candidates to Governor Mark Dayton for consideration to fill the current vacancy in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District. By order of the Minnesota Supreme Court, a vacant referee position in the Fifth Judicial District was converted into a district court judgeship. This judgeship vacancy will be chambered at Mankato in Blue Earth County.
Mark Betters: Mr. Betters is a shareholder and president at Betters Wienandt Attorneys at Law, Ltd., where his practice focuses on litigation criminal defense and family law matters. Previously, he was a public defender for the Fifth Judicial District and an attorney at Manahan Bluth Law Office, Chtd. Mr. Betters is a member of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra Board, a member investigator of the Sixth District Ethics Committee, a family drug court legal clinic volunteer, and a pro bono attorney through Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services.
Patrick McDermott: Mr. McDermott is the Blue Earth County Attorney, where he prosecutes all adult felony offenses and juvenile delinquency matters, provides legal advice to County officials, and child support enforcement. Previously, he was a Chief Assistant Blue Earth County Attorney, an Assistant Blue Earth County Attorney, and an Assistant Shakopee City Attorney. Mr. McDermott is a member of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council, Chair of the Loyola Catholic School Board of Trustees, and a member of Mankato Elks 225.
Michelle Zehnder Fischer: Ms. Zehnder Fischer is the Nicollet County Attorney, where she is responsible for establishing criminal prosecution policy, handling child protection matters, and providing advice to the County Board of Commissioners and county agencies. Previously, she was the Chief Deputy Nicollet County Attorney, Assistant Nicollet County Attorney, and shareholder at MacKenzie & Gustafson, Limited. Ms. Zehnder Fischer is a member of the Loyola Catholic School Board of Trustees, Chair of Stakeholders for Education Success and Friends of Learning-Back to School Project, and the Treasurer of the St. Peter Lions Club.
Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District consists of Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, and Watonwan Counties.
An announcement of the appointment will be made following an interview process over the next few weeks.
